Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

The night in the Forbidden City was eerily quiet, the heavy darkness enveloping the entire palace like a giant curtain. Inside the Kunning Palace, candlelight flickered, illuminating Xiao Yanzi's worried face. She wore a bright yellow phoenix robe, the gold-embroidered phoenix shimmering in the candlelight, and an elaborate pearl and jade phoenix crown adorned her head, further highlighting the solemnity and weariness in her eyes.

"Su Peisheng, is there any progress in the search?" Xiao Yanzi sat on the carved pear wood chair, her fingers lightly tapping the table, her voice tinged with urgency.

Su Peisheng hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the guards have searched the entire palace, inside and out, but they still haven't found any clues related to the little princess's disappearance, except for the footprints found in the Cold Palace and the fabric from the princess's clothes." He lowered his head slightly, his eyes filled with anxiety.

Little Swallow frowned slightly, her unease growing stronger. "Who is the mastermind behind this? Why would they target Little Swallow?" she muttered to herself, a hint of doubt and anger in her eyes.

At this moment, Consort Ling hurriedly entered the hall, looking flustered: "Your Majesty the Empress, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

Xiao Yanzi was slightly taken aback, then stood up and said, "I understand, I'll go right away." She straightened her phoenix robe and, accompanied by Su Peisheng, headed towards Zhen Huan's palace.

The palace road was silent all the way, with only their footsteps echoing in the empty night. Moonlight shone on the palace walls, casting dappled shadows that added to the eerie atmosphere.

Zhen Huan's palace was simply yet elegantly furnished, with the fragrance of sandalwood filling the air and creating a tranquil atmosphere. Xiao Yanzi entered the palace and saw Zhen Huan sitting on a couch, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her expression serene.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Little Swallow bowed slightly.

Zhen Huan smiled slightly and said, "Get up and sit here." She pointed to the seat next to her.

Xiao Yanzi sat down, looked at Zhen Huan, and said, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Zhen Huan sighed softly and said, "I have heard about what happened to the little princess. It is heartbreaking that such a thing could happen in the palace." A hint of worry was in her eyes.

Little Swallow gave a bitter smile and said, "It's all my fault for being incompetent and failing to protect Little Swallow, putting her in danger."

Zhen Huan shook her head and said, "This is not your fault. Those villains are too cunning. I called you here to tell you that I have sent people to contact some informants in the martial arts world to see if we can get some information from them."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yanzi's eyes: "Really? That's wonderful. Your Majesty, we are so grateful to have you."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry too much, everything will be alright. Although Hongli is investigating with all his might, this matter is probably not so simple." She frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

Little Swallow nodded and said, "I understand, but I'm really worried about Little Swallow who's still outside."

Zhen Huan patted Xiao Yanzi's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, little princess is blessed by heaven, she will be safe and sound."

After leaving Zhen Huan's palace, Xiao Yanzi didn't immediately return to Kunning Palace. Instead, she went alone to the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Garden was quiet, with only moonlight casting dappled shadows among the flowers. Xiao Yanzi strolled slowly, pondering to herself: Where is the mastermind hiding behind this? Why is she being targeted like this little swallow?

Suddenly, she heard a slight noise and stopped alertly. "Who's there?" she shouted, drawing her soft whip from her waist.

However, all around was silent, and no one responded. Little Swallow cautiously walked towards the direction from which the sound came, only to see a dark shadow flash by and disappear into the flower bushes.

"Stop!" Little Swallow shouted and gave chase. However, the dark figure was extremely fast and quickly disappeared into the night.

Xiao Yanzi stood there, panting heavily, her heart filled with doubt: Who is this dark figure? Is it a remnant of Ulihak's gang, or the spies hidden in the palace?

Just then, Su Peisheng rushed over: "Your Majesty, the Emperor requests your immediate presence at Qianqing Palace."

Little Swallow nodded slightly and said, "I understand, let's go."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his face grim. His Highness was flanked by a group of ministers, each with a different expression.

"Your Majesty, the young princess has gone missing, the remnants of the Ulihak rebellion have not been eliminated, and the border war is escalating. What should we do?" a minister said with great concern.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise the people's hearts will be unsettled, and the court will be in danger," another minister echoed.

Everyone was arguing and talking at once. Just then, Little Swallow walked in, and everyone bowed to her.

"No need for formalities." Hongli looked at Xiaoyanzi, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his seriousness. "Empress, you've come at the right time. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Xiao Yanzi bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to find Princess Xiaoxiao and ensure her safety. At the same time, we should intensify our efforts to track down the remaining members of the Ulihak faction and ensure that they do not escape justice again. As for the border war, we can send envoys to negotiate with the enemy and strive for a temporary ceasefire so that we can free up our resources to deal with internal issues."

Hongli nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As the Empress says. Issue my decree to send the Vice Minister of Rites to the border to negotiate with the enemy. At the same time, all guards shall continue to search the capital and find the traces of the Little Princess and the remnants of Ulihak's gang."

"As you command," the ministers replied in unison.

After the court session ended, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only the two of them remained in the room. Hongli rubbed his temples wearily, and Xiaoyanzi stepped forward and gently massaged his shoulders: "Your Majesty, don't overwork yourself. Take care of your health."

Hongli held her hand and said, "With you here, I feel much more at ease. However, the situation is complicated, and I am truly worried."

Little Swallow leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "We'll face this together, and we'll get through it."

Just then, Su Peisheng hurriedly walked in: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Prince Hongzhou requests an audience."

"Quickly, invite him in," Hongli said.

Hongzhou walked in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have brought some news."

"What news?" Hongli and Xiaoyanzi asked at the same time.

Hongzhou frowned slightly and said, "My friends in the martial arts world have learned that the remnants of Ulihak's faction seem to be plotting a bigger conspiracy. They have close ties with their inside agents in the palace, and their target seems to be more than just a little princess."

"Oh? What is their goal?" Hongli asked, his face darkening.

Hongzhou shook his head and said, "It's not clear yet, but I guess they might want to use the little princess to threaten us, or they might want to take this opportunity to launch a coup and overthrow the court."

Little Swallow was startled and said, "What should we do? We must find Little Princess as soon as possible and stop their conspiracy."

Hongli nodded slightly and said, "Hongzhou, continue to contact your friends in the martial arts world and make sure to find out their specific plans. I will send more people to strengthen the security of the palace."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Hongzhou replied.

After Hongzhou left, Hongli and Xiaoyanzi fell into deep thought. Suddenly, Xiaoyanzi thought of something and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can start with the person who left footprints in the Cold Palace. Maybe we can find some clues."

Hongli frowned slightly and said, "I have already sent people to investigate, but we haven't found anything yet. However, you are right, this may be a breakthrough."

Just then, a young eunuch rushed in, panicking: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, something terrible has happened! Rong Momo has fainted in her room and is unconscious."

"What?" Hongli and Xiaoyanzi stood up at the same time, their faces full of surprise.

"Summon Imperial Physician Liu immediately," Hongli said sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The little eunuch hurriedly left.

Hongli and Xiaoyanzi hurried to Rong Mama's room. Inside, Rong Mama lay on the bed, her face pale and her breath weak. Physician Liu was taking her pulse, his expression grave.

"Imperial Physician Liu, how is Granny Rong?" Hongli asked.

Physician Liu frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that Rong Momo has been poisoned by a slow-acting poison. The poison has penetrated deep into her internal organs, and I have no way to detoxify her in the short term."

Xiao Yanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "Doctor Liu, could this poison be related to the remnants of the Ulihak gang?"

After pondering for a moment, Physician Liu said, "Your Majesty, judging from the symptoms, this is indeed a possibility. This poison is extremely rare and difficult for ordinary people to obtain. It is very likely that it was made by someone from the martial arts world."

Hongli's face darkened, and he said, "It seems the conspiracy behind this is becoming increasingly complex. Rong Momo was Consort Na's wet nurse; could her poisoning be related to Consort Na?"

Xiao Yanzi frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this matter needs to be investigated carefully before any conclusions are drawn. However, since that concubine has been opposing me, we certainly cannot let our guard down."

Hongli nodded slightly and said, "Issue my decree to properly settle Rong Momo and find a way to detoxify her. At the same time, secretly monitor Na Fei's every move and report to me immediately if there is anything unusual."

"As you command!" the crowd replied in unison.

After leaving Rong Momo's room, Hongli and Xiao Yanzi returned to Kunning Palace. Xiao Yanzi sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought: this series of events, seemingly unrelated, yet somehow intricately connected. The remnants of Ulihak's faction, the palace mole, the disappearance of the little princess, Rong Momo's poisoning—what conspiracy lies behind all this?

Suddenly, she thought of someone—Gao Wuyong. Gao Wuyong had always been Su Peisheng's rival, and had previously spread false information, being manipulated and misleading others. Could he be involved in all of this?

“Your Majesty, I think we can start our investigation by focusing on Gao Wuyong,” Xiao Yanzi said.

Hongli frowned slightly and said, "Are you saying that Gao Wuyong is colluding with the remnants of Ulihak's faction?"

Little Swallow nodded and said, "Although there is no evidence yet, his behavior is indeed suspicious. We can send someone to secretly monitor him and see if he has done anything unusual recently."

Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, we'll do as you say. This matter is of great importance, so we must proceed with extreme caution."

Thus, a secret investigation quietly unfolded within the palace. Meanwhile, in the capital, seemingly calm on the surface, undercurrents were swirling, and a far greater storm was silently approaching…